High Speed Boat Event along the Thames
Posted on April 22, 2008
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It was excellent to actually sample one of Team Tactics events, The Thames Power Blast, last Friday.
Hellen and I met our group at the Blueprint Cafe (part of the Design Museum) that fronts onto the River Thames last Friday for a taste of what we offer to our clients.
As we walked along from London Bridge to the Design Museum, we were blasted along by the wind….what a trip this was going to be! I am one of those unfortunate people who suffer from travel sickness so I began to wonder if I was doing the right thing!
Fear not. What a brilliant time we had. On the RIB, I was like a kid, propped up to get a birdseye view of the Thames and all the powerboats ahead of us.
What we really liked about the event was the fast boating experience at the other side of the Thames Barrier, when our skipper really put the throttle down!
Also seeing the amazing views and landmarks along the River Thames, the 02, House of Commons, Big Ben, Tate Modern just to mention a few. Here are a few pictures of the action.
I can honestly say that this was one of the windiest and coldest days and it was great fun. So no problems with the weather I can assure anyone!
Happy boating!
Tina Benson
Team Tactics
Calling Avon Cosmetics!
Posted on April 17, 2008
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Just an update on my blog earlier (posted March 26th) re. a 3 day event in London with a Gala Dinner for some overseas clients.
We (actually Hellen and Laura now!) are delighted to be working with a Polish events company, Zebra Events on behalf of their client, Avon Cosmetics. The programme really does look fabulous. The first evening starts with dinner at the world renowned Galvin at Windows. The next day there will be a tour of London with Avon decals along the side, stop over at the London Eye and lunch at a typical English pub. The event with culminate in a show-stopping Gala Dinner with the Bootleg Beatles, amazing lighting and coloured linen, covered chairs with bows…and some stunnning flower displays. We hope the client will chose a harpist, some living statues and a look-a-like.
Talking of look-a-likes, did anyone see The Apprentice last night? I thought David Beckham was a perfect choice, shame so many of the candidates wanted to stab each other in the back. Almost wanted to turn the TV off!
Anyway we hope to show you some stunning pictures of the evening soon.
Tina Benson
Team Tactics
01227 738280
www.teamtactics.co.uk
Golf at European Open to be held in UK!
Posted on April 17, 2008
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Great news for golf lovers…the European Open which has been traditionally held at the K Club, Ireland is, for 2008, being held at the London Golf Club, Kent. The event has been staged at the K Club in Kildare for every year since 1995. Shame for the Irish, but great for the Brits. The reason behind this is because The European Open has lost its sponsor.
Click here for details for hospitality at the European Open which Colin Montgomerie won at last year’s European Open at the K Club.
I know the London Golf Club well as I played there a year or so ago and, surprisingly played good golfer…okay ….for me!! Also its rare for a major event to be held in our county KENT!!
The London Golf Club boasts superb facilities and the course is in fantastic condition.
However, to participate in some golf yourself at an Open Championship golf course, do have a look at our golf event Team Tactics is running at Turnberry (venue for the Open Championships 2009) - should be a fabulous event and am looking forward to joining in the fun too. Click here for all details.
Another point to mention quickly is that when Hellen and I were on a site visit in the Algarve, Portugal, both of us sat down and said to each other…’why were we not promoting the fact we know Portugal, we run golf days, sailing days, spa etc’ …and we are not promoting something we know so well? So watch this space!
Tina Benson
Team Tactics
01227 738280
www.teamtactics.co.uk
Corporate music & rythmic team building
Posted on April 15, 2008
Filed Under Staff Entertainment, Team Building | Leave a Comment
I am delighted to say, Team Tactics ran a well received Global Music Experience last week for a large telecommunications company.
Each area or zone we provided represented a region of the globe. New creative challenges & skills needed be mastered before regrouping for the finale performance.
The teams experiencing three different types of rythmic team building activities in each zone, …..The Haka (Maori War tribal dance), Junk Funk (using ladders, bins, boxes and other ‘junk’!) plus the ever popular range of Drums
JUNK FUNK
It might all look like rubbish and random objects, but by the end of this workshop participants can’t believe how great it all sounds. Using familiar house hold items & some useless rubbish, your team will rehearse and perform a multi tasked routine with the help of our ‘Junk Funk’ professional performers.
The results never fail to amaze… a mop and bucket may never quite look the same again!
HAKA WORKSHOP
For this part of the event, everyone is on their feet, warrior faces at the ready…some faces painted…all committed to this powerful and moving ritual.
Feel and see a new side to your people. This tribal event led by our passionate New Zealand instructors, is a fantastic addition.
The whole afternoon and evening was held for two reasons. Firstly, two offices were combining into one. However, secondly, due to a few redundancies, the company wanted to ‘lift’ the rest of the workforce, to demonstrate that those that were still with the company were valued and that their careers were both safe and secure. What better way to do this and inspire the group with lots of fun by providing this creative platform for individual expression ….Global Music Experience.
Global Music Experience is a high energy event. Our rhythm activities provide;
- inspired energy
- big entertainment
- sense of team achievement
- new company unity
Client comment
‘I have to say that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day. The event brought people together and will be talked about for some time to come. The Team Tactics staff on the day were friendly, helpful and organised. I am more than satisfied’
Tina Benson
Team Tactics
01227 738280
www.teamtactics.co.uk
FA Cup Final Hospitality - Team Tactics offer the Park Plaza Hotel
Posted on April 10, 2008
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For the second FA Cup Final at the not-so-new Wembley Stadium, Team Tactics have teamed up with the Hilton Park Plaza hotel. Located adjacent the ground, this is a fantastic option for those ticket holders wishing to enhance their FA Cup Final day with some corporate hospitality, or for those just looking to for a truly fantastic way to enjoy the match.
Excluding the Liverpool v West Ham final, the season finales involving the ‘top four’ have a tendancy to disappoint so this year’s final between the Premiership’s Portsmouth and the Championship’s Cardiff promises a more open and entertaining match.
Our FA Cup Final Hospitality only package comes with Champagne reception, three couse lunch and the all important complimenary bar. So click here for more information or contact us to make a booking and reserve your table.
Twickenham Autumn Internationals - Investec Challenge Rugby Fixtures Confirmed
Posted on March 27, 2008
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After silencing the doubters at the 2007 World Cup, England failed to live up to their promise at the 2008 Six Nations with a string of indifferent performances. The match against Wales at Twickenham saw England destroyed by a consummate second half performance from the visitors, who deservedly went on to take the Calcutta Cup. The Twickenham crowd did see improvement against the Irish on March 15th, with England scoring three tries to overturn a 10-0 deficit. So after tours abroad November will see the spotlight fall on Twickenham again with the Investec Challenge during the autumn internationals.
England begin the campaign against suppposed minnows the Pacific Islands but are quickly followed with visits from the Southern Hemisphere giants Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Team Tactics are again offering first class corporate hospitality for these massive matches at Twickenham. For the Investec Challenge, we will offer two hospitality options, the Chase Bridge enclosure and the Orchard Enclosure. Both facilities offer the finest package for both client entertaining and hospitality adjacent the ground, with Category 1 reserved match seating. Prices start from only £345pp making the Autumn Internationals a fantastic option for both corporate entertaining and corporate budgets!
Full Fixtures for the Investec Challenge 2008:
Saturday 8th November - England v Pacific Islands
Saturday 15th November - England v Australia
Saturday 22nd November- England v South Africa
Saturday 29th November - England v New Zealand
For more details please click here or contact us on 01227 738 280.
Rory McKeating
Hampton Court Festival & Gordon Ramsey
Posted on March 27, 2008
Filed Under Corporate Hospitality, Evening Events | Leave a Comment
It has been a few weeks since all of the artists have been confirmed for the Hampton Court Palace Festival for 2008.
I didn’t realise that the Festival is now in it’s 16th year and team tactics has been hosting events there for 14 of those 16 years.
It’s good to see Gordon Ramsey making an appearance on three nights over the Festival, those being 6th, 11th and 17th June. So if you fancy meeting with Gordon on one of those nights (lets hope he is in a good mood!), book in now.
There are some excellent acts to come and enjoy including Katherine Jenkins, Van Morrison and Rufus Wainwrightto mention a few.
Failing not being able to attend Hampton Court, please do browse through our evenings at Henley Festival of Music & Art. One of the offices favourites.
Tina Benson
Gala Dinner evenings
Posted on March 26, 2008
Filed Under Evening Events | Leave a Comment
I am having a very busy week after the Easter break and particularly excited about one event in particular. A big cosmetics company are flying into the UK for a three day, two night event in May. We were up against other agencies from the outset, which although we know it’s inevitable, when there is so much work upfront, its difficult to gauge how much detail to put into the proposal, as this takes so much time and effort, which, at the end of the day you may win or lose.
Anyway, we are delighted we have got the business and the client has chosen The Hilton Park Lane as their chosen hotel.
We had initially worked on different evening activities, which included a James Bond Themed evening on board The Silver Sturgeon with fabulous giant sculptured logos, silhoutte panels of Pierce Brosnan with lighting, a Jaws look-a-like and lots more.
We also suggested a private viewing of the Crown Jewels followed by dinner in the White Tower.
However we are now working on a London Guided tour on either a luxury double decker coach (yes Kevin at Westway Coaches, we do love your coaches, your wit and your professional service!) or a more traditional Routemaster Bus.
They require an evening at the hotel which I am still waiting on the hotel to give me a rate for hiring the whole of the Windows restaurant. Fabulous restaurant, though I fear the hire charges will be too excessive for our client.
The icing on the cake will be the Gala Dinner in the Wellington Ballroom. . I am still working on this but have some really exciting ideas to put to the client. The room is very ornate and we are suggesting chair covers, stunning candles with flower arrangements, living statues, tribute bands (Queen and The Beatles), harpist …… very exciting to put together.
Still lots to do so I need to sign off now. Anyone reading this, please bear us in mind for these bespoke events..
As you may have seen from our website, much of our work is bepoke though this is difficult to see from our website. About 70% at least is bespoke event management.
All the best Tina
Working in event management
Posted on March 12, 2008
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I have so many CV’s land on my desk or in my inbox, where people are looking to get into the events industry. I gather there are many degrees courses (not in my day!) on event management, tourism and the leisure industry.
Although it is a great fun industry to be in, (eg who could not enjoy be part of these days…..
Thats a Knockout…what a cracker!
The Haka….lots of testosterone pumping!
…the work of an event manager is really quite tough!! Really!!
-
Receiving the event confirmation from sales
Yes, especially if it comes from me! My files are not always the neatest though I know exactly where I am with it! However Hellen has worked here for 7 years and is used to it. Good girl! On a more serious note, there is detail, detail, detail to prepare. Invoices to go out, suppliers to contact, client requirements…are they are fully covered, any special requests, has the client got directions, full event information. Phew!! The list is endless.
Now this sounds all straightforward. However, just as an example Hellen was working on about 60 events over a few months last year and she has to be on the ball on everyone.
Then there is the event itself. Undoubtedly the client would have changed things quite a bit before the event, which is their perogative and that’s what we are here for. We try and take the load away from the client to:
1. Enjoy the day
2. Be with his/her clients or staff
3. Reduce his/her workload
Get there early. This may mean setting off at 5am in the morning to lay out placecards, check everything is in place etc. Then its action stations for whatever the event will be. It may be an evening event such as our International Wine Challenge (never fails this one). So travelling back at midnight is often inevitable.
It could also be a staff team building day such as Ocean RIB Treasure Hunt. Our event manager must be there at 08.30pm and will probably leave at 7pm.
So you can see the hours will vary and any event manager will need to be flexible.
Saying all the above, there is no greater feeling than having a group of very happy clients (see our testimonials). Everyone here at Team Tactics gets that BUZZ of having been a part of something good. That makes it all worth our while.
So….if you like what you hear, keep plugging away. Telephone calls are always better, followed by a CV. Best of luck!
Tina Benson
Cheltenham Races - go away wind!
Posted on March 12, 2008
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When we heard on Monday morning that the whole of Keith Prowse facility had blown away at Cheltenham racecourse for the 2008 National Hunt Festival, we thought the worst of the wind has passed Cheltenham. Not that we wanted to gloat on their inferior structure at all!!
On the first day, Tuesday, our clients had a cracking day. Hellen (Events Director) was on a real high when I spoke to her around 6ish. She said her feet didn’t touch the ground! She mentioned that the wind had picked up….
Wednesday morning ….I turn on my computer and the phones are already ringing. Cheltenham has been cancelled today..WHAT??? this does just doesn’t happen. I have been on a low point today as I do feel bad for many of the clients who have booked this as a highlight to their year. Some people have travelled from the Far East for this event. What a let down.
I know its nothing we can do about it, but the weather seems to be causing a few problems. Remember last year and Henley Regatta? There was huge floods and the river had burst its banks. Luckily all okay.
So we always try to learn something from what happens from almost freak events and I will ensure that we highlight the fact that a Force Majeure is not covered by Team Tactics and that companies must seek their own insurance for this.
Thats not to say we won’t for today as client retention and long term relationship is key. Just depends how much we may lose out I suppose!
As Old Bob Dylan said ‘Something’s Blowing in the Wind’
Click here for Cheltenham 2008/2009!
Finally Cheltenham is one of the best sporting events for client entertaining in the calender. If you have missed the boat on this year’s Cheltenham, please do take a look at what we have to offer for other horseracing fixtures for 2008.
Tina Benson
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